Abstract: The invention herein disclosed is a digital circuit which emulates a synchro signal in a synchro-resolver follower system for precise control of shaft position and rotation at very low rotational rates. The subject invention replaces the synchro and drive motor in a synchro-resolver follower system with a digital and analog synchro emulation circuit for generating the resolver control signal. The synchro emulation circuit includes amplitude modulation means to provide relatively high frequency resolver excitation signals for accurate resolver response even with very low shaft rotation rates.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an electrolysis cell forming hydrogen and oxygen at spaced terminals. The anode terminal is porous and able to form oxygen within the cell and permit escape of the gaseous oxygen through the anode and out through a flow line in the presence of backpressure. Hydrogen is liberated in the cell at the opposing solid metal cathode which is permeable to hydrogen but not oxygen so that the migratory hydrogen formed in the cell is able to escape from the cell. The cell is maintained at an elevated pressure so that oxygen liberated by the cell is delivered at elevated pressure without pumping to raise the pressure of the oxygen.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for finding the lowest cost path of several variable paths comprising a plurality of linked cost-incurring areas existing between an origin point and a destination point. The method comprises the steps of, connecting a plurality of nodes together in the manner of the cost-incurring areas; programming each node to have a cost associated therewith corresponding to one of the cost-incurring areas; injecting a signal into one of the nodes representing the origin point; propagating the signal through the plurality of nodes from inputs to outputs thereof; reducing the signal in magnitude at each node as a function of the respective cost of the node; and, starting at one of the nodes representing the destination point and following a path having the least reduction in magnitude of the signal from node to node back to the one of the nodes representing the origin point whereby the lowest cost path from the origin point to the destination point is found.

Abstract: Voids in aluminum metallization conductors on a chip are avoided or healed after the chip is subjected to thermal treatment at a high temperature sufficient to allow diffusion of silicon by rapidly cooling the chip, preferably by immersion of the chip in liquid nitrogen.

Abstract: An adaptive data acquisition multiplexing system having a monitor terminal and one or more remote terminals with a communication link between them. The remote terminals each include signal conditioning for a plurality of sensors. Upon commands from the monitor terminal, signals providing the remote terminals' current configuration and status, and instructions for changing the remote terminal configuration, are transmitted from each remote terminal to the monitor terminal. Menu driven prompts at the monitor terminal permit commands to be transmitted from the monitor terminal to the remote terminals, selectively altering the configuration of any remote terminal to enable it to acquire and transmit data, as well as its configuration and status information, in the desired format. Alterations in any remote terminal's configuration can then be verified at the monitor terminal.

Abstract: A timing control system is disclosed which is particularly useful in connection with simulated mortar shells. Special circuitry is provided to assure that the shell does not overshoot, but rather detonates early in case of an improper condition; this ensures that ground personnel will not be harmed by a delayed detonation. The system responds to an externally applied frequency control code which is configured to avoid any confusion between different control modes. A premature detonation routine is entered in case an improper time-setting signal is entered, or if the shell is launched before completion of the time-setting sequence. Special provisions are also made for very early launch situations and improper detonator connections. An alternate abort mode is provided to discharge the internal power supply without a detonation in a manner that can be externally monitored, thereby providing a mechanism for non-destructive testing. The abort mode also accelerates the timing function for rapid testing.

Abstract: A vacuum chamber (12) within which an instrument (22) to be calibrated or tested is placed, is fitted with an ion gun (14) having an ion source (48). The source (48) has an electron emitting filament (60) positioned adjacent one end of an ionization chamber (71), with a negatively biased grid (72) located behind the filament (60). Gas is injected into the source (48) by a gas flow regulator (54) in one end (52) of the source (48). The chamber (71) is surrounded by a plurality of independently energizable coils (82, 84, 86, 88, 90), with the last coil (90) being operated at the highest current level, thus producing the highest magnetic flux. This presents a region (160) of magnetic repulsion to the electrons produced by the filament (60) and causes them to be confined between the grid (72) and the region (160), greatly increasing the chances that an ionization collision will occur between the electrons and atoms of injected gas.

Abstract: An acoustic levitation system is provided for acoustically levitating an object, by applying a single frequency from a transducer into a resonant chamber surrounding the object. The chamber includes a stabilizer location (29, FIG. 2) along its height, where the side walls of the chammber are angled so they converge in an upward direction. When an acoustic standing wave pattern is applied between the top and bottom of the chamber, a levitation surface (28) within the stabilizer does not lie on a horizontal plane, but instead is curved with a lowermost portion (31) near the vertical axis of the chamber. As a result, an acoustically levitated object (30) is urged by gravity towards the lowermost location (31) on the levitation surface, so the object is kept away from the side walls of the chamber.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to join or fuse an upper plate having ink flow channels and a lower plate having a multicolored pattern, the joining being accomplished without clogging any ink flow paths.A pattern having different colored parts (11-14) and apertures is formed in a lower plate (10). Ink flow channels (111-114) each having respective ink input ports (211-214) are formed in an upper plate (11).The ink flow channels (111-114) are coated with solder mask and the bottom of the upper plate (11) is then coated with solder. The upper and lower plates are pressed together at from 2 to 5 psi and heated to a temperature of from 295.degree. F. to 750.degree. F. or enough to melt the solder.After the plates (10,11) have cooled and the pressure has been released, the solder mask is removed from the interior passageways by means of a liquid solvent.

Abstract: Metal substrates, preferably of titanium and titanium alloys, are coated by alloying or forming TiN on a substrate surface. A laser beam strikes the surface of a moving substrate in the presence of purified nitrogen gas. A small area of the substrate surface is quickly heated without melting. This heated area reacts with the nitrogen to form a solid solution. The alloying or formation of TiN occurs by diffusion of nitrogen into the titanium. Only the surface layer of the substrate is heated because of the high power density of the laser beam and short exposure time. The bulk of the substrate is not affected, and melting of the substrate is avoided because it would be detrimental.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is described for producing a hydrogen rich gas by introducing a liquid hydrocarbon fuel in the form of a spray into a partial oxidation region and mixing with a mixture of steam and air that is preheated by indirect heat exchange with the formed hydrogen rich gas, igniting the hydrocarbon fuel spray mixed with the preheated mixture of steam and air within the partial oxidation region to form a hydrogen rich gas. The apparatus for performing the process is in the form of a bell-shaped chamber which consists of an open cylinder wherein a partial oxidation reaction takes place. An air pasageway and a pipe for injecting water into the passageway are provided for forming a steam-air mixture. The air is preheated indirectly by the heat generated as a result of igniting a hydrocarbon fuel spray and thus the water is converted into steam when injected into the preheated air.